Hikers brave heat to trek 13km along Hong Kong Island to help Nepal rebuild after 2015 quake
Focus was to promote Nepal and to tell people it is safe to visit after devastating earthquake left tourism industry on its knees
Almost 230 people completed a charity hike in sweltering heat yesterday to raise funds for rebuilding efforts in Nepal after it was hit by a devastating earthquake last year.
Nepalese people living in Hong Kong, along with members of the local and international community, raised at least HK$46,000 on the 13km trek.
With temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius, the hike went through Wan Chai Gap and along the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir ending at Repulse Bay.
“Our focus is not on raising money this time. We did this hike to promote Nepal and to tell people it’s safe [to visit],” said Tulsi Kumar Gurung, president of Miteree Sewa Samiti Hong Kong, a Nepalese community which organised the event.
“Despite the very hot weather, people participated because they have an emotional attachment to the people of Nepal,” Gurung said.
The earthquake struck on April 25, 2015 and, along with aftershocks which continued into May, left about 8,700 dead and at least 22,200 injured. Its tourism industry, a major source of income, took a battering.
